Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Van Wye

Enoch Van Wye v Matilda Smith Van Wye (Journal 7 - Mar 1868; Roll 20 case number 46 -Nov 1868-Mar 1869)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Wms Co, OH on 1 June 1865 according to Enoch but the record showed the date as 11 June 1865 (Marriage V3 p455).  Enoch, born 1 May 1809 PA, was the son of Charles and Jane Cameron Van Wye.  Enoch was married first to Dianna Pennel in Trumbull Co, OH on 18 May 1831.  They had the following children: Darthula, Daniel, Maria, Cameron, Mary, Atalia, Sarah, Susan, and Charles. Dianna died on 25 Dec 1849 in Trumbull Co, OH.

His next marriage was to an Elizabeth Sailor c1850, presumably in Trumbull Co.  The issue of this marriage were the following children: William L, Orison B, Nancy J, and Barbara Ellen.  The family came to Wms Co in the mid-1850's; prior to this the family was listed in the 1850 Wethersfield Twp, Trumbull Co, OH federal census, p235, as Enoch 40 OH, Darthula 18 OH, Daniel 16 OH, Maria 14 OH, Cameron 10 OH, Mary 8 OH, Atalia 6 OH, Susan A 4 OH, and Sally A 4 OH. The family was enumerated in the 1860 Springlake, Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census, p31, as Enoch 47 OH, Elizabeth 38 SCOT, Cameron 20 OH, Atalia 17 OH, Susan A 16, twin Sally A 16, William L 8 OH, Orison 3 OH, and Nancy J 1 OH.  In the probate records of this county (#977) the estate of Elizabeth Vanwye was settled with Enoch as the administrator and guardian for Eleanor, Nancy, Orison, and William ((#941 - 12 May 1865); these children were to receive a 1/4^th share in the estate of Lyman J. Gurshaw, dec.

Mrs. Matilda Smith, parentage unknown, wife of Robert W. Smith was enumerated in the 1860 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p25A, as Robert W 54 DEL, Matilda 52 PA, William 14 OH, and Susetta Buck 22 OH school teacher. 

Enoch stated that Matilda disregarded her duties.  On 20 Nov 1865 she left their home for Indiana and committed adultery with a Mr. Wannamaker and in a space of two weeks she cohabited with him in Hamilton, Steuben Co, IN.  A legal notice appeared in the "Bryan Democrat." 

Enoch married again on 12 Apr 1869, Wms Co to Hannah Mullenick (Marriage V4 p57).  The 1870 Penn Twp, Sullivan Co, Missouri federal census p242 listed him as Enoch W. Vanwye. He died 9 Apr 1887 but the location is currently unknown.